Japanese Words in English

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Instructions: From tsunami to karaoke, test your knowledge of English words borrowed from Japanese!

1.
The word 'tsunami' is composed of two Japanese characters. What do they literally mean?
A
Harbor wave
B
Tidal surge
C
Big wave
D
Ocean storm
2.
What does the Japanese word 'karaoke' literally translate to?
A
Singing machine
B
Empty orchestra
C
Solo stage
D
Fun music
3.
The word 'tycoon' comes from the Japanese 'taikun.' What did 'taikun' originally mean?
A
Emperor's advisor
B
Great lord or prince
C
Wealthy merchant
D
Powerful samurai
4.
Which English word for a type of folded paper art comes from the Japanese words 'ori' (folding) and 'kami' (paper)?
A
Ikebana
B
Origami
C
Kirigami
D
Bonsai
5.
The word 'tofu' entered English from Japanese. What does 'tofu' literally mean in its original Chinese-Japanese form?
A
Soy milk cake
B
White block
C
Soft cheese
D
Bean curd
6.
Which word for a powerful storm system comes from the Japanese 'taifuu'?
A
Cyclone
B
Monsoon
C
Hurricane
D
Typhoon
7.
The English word 'emoji' comes from Japanese. What do the component parts 'e' and 'moji' mean?
A
Digital letter
B
Picture character
C
Happy face
D
Electronic message
8.
What does the Japanese word 'bonsai' literally translate to?
A
Garden art
B
Tray planting
C
Living sculpture
D
Small tree
9.
The word 'sake' (the rice wine) is a Japanese word. What does 'sake' mean more broadly in Japanese?
A
Sacred water
B
Rice drink
C
Fermented grain
D
Alcoholic beverage in general
10.
Which English word for a form of wrestling comes from the Japanese 'sumou'?
A
Judo
B
Aikido
C
Sumo
D
Karate
11.
The word 'rickshaw' comes from the Japanese 'jinrikisha.' What does 'jinrikisha' literally mean?
A
Running chair
B
Street cart
C
Human-powered vehicle
D
Fast carriage
12.
Which word for a robed garment comes from the Japanese word meaning 'thing to wear'?
A
Haori
B
Kimono
C
Hakama
D
Yukata
13.
The word 'futon' is used in English for a type of mattress or sofa bed. In Japan, what does 'futon' traditionally refer to?
A
A reclining chair
B
A wooden bed frame
C
A thin mattress laid on the floor
D
A sleeping bag
14.
Which word meaning 'a senior mentor' in martial arts comes from Japanese?
A
Guru
B
Sensei
C
Master
D
Sifu
15.
The word 'kudzu' (an invasive vine in the American South) is borrowed from Japanese. What was kudzu originally used for in Japan?
A
Building houses
B
Making weapons
C
Decoration only
D
Food and medicine

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